Mental Health and Identity for Students Studying at Home & Abroad

Category

Spotlight

Country

Kenya

Pillar

Network Learning & Development

From anxiety and burnout to identity crises and the pressure to “make it,” young people studying at home and abroad are navigating a mental minefield. But what if you’re not alone—and there are solutions? 

Join us for a powerful new episode exploring the real mental health challenges university students face today—and the cultural, academic, and emotional pressure that fuels them. 

Led by Ogweno Stephen—renowned Kenyan public health expert and founder of Stowelink Foundation—this interactive session blends personal stories, expert insight, and global strategies to support student well-being. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Common mental health struggles among students, including anxiety, depression, and burnout—and how to cope.

• How identity, societal pressure, and cultural expectations shape student experiences locally and abroad.

• Practical tools, African and non-African wellness practices, and solutions to support mental well-being. 

This episode is for young minds—university students, fresh graduates, and early-career professionals—who are navigating the twists of life, learning, and identity while trying to find their place and purpose in an ever-changing world.

The Speaker:

Stephen Ogweno
Founder, Stowelink Foundation/ Lifesten Health

Stephen Ogweno is a globally recognized Kenyan health advocate, public health innovator, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) specialist. He holds a BSc in Population Health from Kenyatta University, an Executive Education certificate on Sustainability in leadership and business from the University of Cambridge, Institute of Sustainability Leadership and an MPH (Global Health) from the University of Manchester, supported by a Commonwealth scholarship.
In 2016, driven by personal experience with childhood obesity, Ogweno founded the Stowelink Foundation, pioneering community-centered NCD interventions across 10 African countries. Notable initiatives include the MyHeart KE school program, the Mental Health Matters project, a 6-country 2-year-long mental health campaign, the NCDs 365 digital campaign, and youth engagement through poetry and sports for health education. Under his leadership, these efforts reached over 10 million people, resulted in peer-reviewed mHealth publications, and earned multiple awards, including his recognition as Top 100 Youth in Africa in 2020 and Top 35 Under 35 Youth in Kenya in 2022.